Gateway Theatre is a community theatre venue in Metro Vancouver that’s located at 6500 Gilbert Road in Richmond. It’s near Minoru Park and Richmond Centre mall.
Gateway Theatre by Minoru Park
Owned by the City of Richmond and operated by a non-profit society, Gateway Theatre features a 522-seat theatre and 89-seat Studio. The company puts on a couple of its own shows each year and presents about four or so more. The facility is also available for rent.
The Main Stage theatre is an attractive venue with both orchestra and balcony sections of seating.
Where is Gateway Theatre?
Gateway Theatre is located at 6500 Gilbert Road near Richmond‘s Minoru Park and a 10-minute walk from the Richmond Centre shopping mall.
2019 Productions
Plays at Gateway Theatre in 2019 included the following:
- China Doll (October 17th to 26th) – a play about a young child and her search for freedom.
- The Double Axe Murders (November 14th to 23rd) – a murder-mystery by Berni Stapleton.
- Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (December 12th to 31st) – the Andrew Lloyd Webber comedy musical about Joseph from the Old Testament and his jealous brothers.
Tips and Advice
Below are some tips and useful things to know to help you maximize your experience at Gateway Theatre.
TIP #1: If you know you’ll want a drink at intermission you can pre-order it and pick it up without having to get in a big line at the break. If ordering a hot drink though, you’ll want to either pick it up right away or maybe wait until the intermission to order it.
TIP #2: Non-alcoholic beverages are permitted in the actual theatre. Alcoholic drinks, however, can only be consumed in the lobby. So don’t order your boozy refreshment just moments before show time unless 1) you don’t mind chugging or 2) you’re ordering for later pick up at the intermission!
TIP #3: When we went in December a few years ago, the theatre was quite warm inside. Consider using the coat check for your jacket, especially if you expect to peel off a few layers during the show as we did.
TIP #4: If you like live theatre, then be sure to check out our Vancouver Shows & Entertainment and Vancouver Theatre Venues listings.
Tips about Getting to Gateway
TIP #5: There is limited parking at the venue. The last time we went the cost was between about $3 and $5 (and free after 9:00 pm). Arrive early to improve your chances of finding a spot. If unlucky, then there is a parkade at the hospital next door.
TIP #6: Give yourself lots of time to get to the theatre and find parking. This is especially important if arriving during rush hour traffic between around 4:00 and 6:30 pm on a weekday or just before show time (when parking is more limited). If you arrive late they’ll still let you in, but you’ll miss a bit of the show and have to wait for the ushers to identify an appropriate time in the performance before you’ll be able to take your seat.
TIP #7: Public transit to Gateway Theatre is reasonably convenient. Richmond-Brighouse Station is about a 15-minute walk away (through Minoru Park and the Richmond Centre shopping mall). The theatre is also just a 25-minute ride from Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver.
TIP #8: If you want dinner before the show there are a number of restaurants that offer discounts of up to about 15% for people with Gateway tickets (so be sure to pick yours up first if they are at Will Call). Participating places used to include 75 West Coast Grill, Boston Pizza on Ackroyd Road, Carver’s Restaurant, Catch Kitchen & Bar, Harold’s Kitchen & Bar, Steveston Seafood House and the White Spot Restaurant at Richmond Centre. Click Richmond’s Best Bars & Restaurants for a list of these and other good places to eat.
Other Information
For tickets or to learn more about the venue and its shows, see the Gateway Theatre website.
To learn about the surrounding area, see our article about the City of Richmond.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Vancouver Theatre in December
- Metro Theatre (which is a theatre company in South Vancouver, so just across the Fraser River from Richmond)
- Arts Club Theatre Company (whose venues include the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Granville Island Stage and Goldcorp Stage)
- CTORA Productions (which is a theatre company that hosts shows at various Lower Mainland venues)
- Vancouver Christmas Concerts
- Vancouver’s Best Christmas Activities
- Vancouver Rainy Day Activities
- Lower Mainland Theatre Companies
- Vancouver Shows & Entertainment
- Vancouver’s Calendar of Events